Air-optimized refrigerated cabinet for receiving and / or storing refrigerated goods and air-optimizing method for same

The air-optimized refrigerated cabinet design with blocking means in the air duct addresses energy loss and icing issues by maintaining air flow and preventing cold air escape when doors are open, enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

EP4494526A1Inactive Publication Date: 2025-01-22EPTA CENTRAL NORTH EUROPE BV
View PDF 4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
EP2024189534
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-07-18
Filing Date
2024-07-18
Publication Date
2025-01-22
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Refrigerated cabinets with glass doors face energy loss and icing issues when the doors are open, as warm ambient air enters and cold air escapes, leading to inefficient cooling and increased energy consumption.

Method used

The implementation of an air-optimized refrigerated cabinet design featuring an air duct with blocking means that interrupts the air flow when the door is open, forming an air curtain to prevent cold air from escaping and warm air from entering, while maintaining air flow conveyance to prevent icing and optimize cooling efficiency.

Benefits of technology

This solution reduces energy losses, prevents the heat exchanger from icing, and ensures effective cooling by maintaining the air curtain even when the door is open, allowing for quick and easy air optimization and reduced energy consumption.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure IMGAF001_ABST
    Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention relates to an air-optimized refrigerated cabinet for receiving and / or storing refrigerated goods and its air optimization process method.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration cabinet according to the preamble of patent claim 1. background

[0002] Supermarkets are increasingly using refrigerated cabinets with glass doors. This allows customers to easily view the refrigerated products and make their purchasing decisions. However, if the glass doors are opened, for example, to remove refrigerated products or to add new ones, or if they are not properly closed, a significant amount of energy is lost. Furthermore, warm ambient air entering the refrigerated compartment then has to be cooled again, which is costly and time-consuming. Task

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerated cabinet that is air-optimized and energy-efficient, even when the doors are open. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to completely prevent the heat exchanger from icing up when the closure element is open. Solution

[0004] The problem is solved by the technical features specified in patent claim 1 and by a method according to patent claim 13.

[0005] The core of the present invention lies in a refrigerated cabinet for receiving and / or storing refrigerated goods, comprising at least one refrigerating chamber, wherein the refrigerating chamber is spanned by a housing which has at least one floor section, at least one ceiling section and at least one rear wall section. The refrigerating chamber is designed to be closable by at least one closure means for maintaining the temperature in the refrigerating chamber. The housing further comprises at least one air duct, within which at least one air flow can be guided by means of at least one air flow conveying device. The at least one air flow can be guided out of the air duct into the refrigerating chamber in a region of the at least one ceiling section and can be guided back into the air duct in a region of the floor section, so that an air curtain is formed. The air curtain can advantageously also be referred to as a falling air curtain.

[0006] The core of the present invention lies in the fact that the air duct has at least one blocking means for at least partially blocking the at least one guided air flow. The at least one blocking means proves advantageous in that the air flow can be at least partially, advantageously completely, interrupted in the air duct. This eliminates and blocks the resulting air curtain. This has the advantage that less cold air flows out of the refrigerated cabinet when the closure element is open. At the same time, this blocking of the air flow prevents warm air from the environment from being introduced into the refrigerated cabinet. This allows for the first time a quick and simple air optimization of refrigerated cabinets.

[0007] As an embodiment, it is conceivable that the at least one closure element is designed as a door leaf which is pivotally mounted on the housing.

[0008] When the refrigerated cabinet is open, for example, if the closure is deflected from its originally closed position and the cold room is freely accessible, interrupting the air curtain significantly optimizes cooling within the cold room. This prevents cooled air from being drawn from the entire system. This optimizes the cooling effect of the cold room. When the closure is open, interrupting the air curtain prevents the cooled air from "falling out." Furthermore, warm ambient air is prevented from entering the air duct. This advantageously prevents the need to produce cooled air again when the closure is reclosed.Particularly advantageous is that the components typically used for cooling in a refrigerated cabinet, in particular the airflow conveying device, remain active while at least one closure element is open. This means that the airflow conveying device continues to operate even when the air duct is blocked and the air curtain is interrupted.

[0009] If at least one closure device is then returned to its original position and the cold room is closed again, the at least one blocking device is released and the air duct is opened again. The pre-cooled air, which was previously blocked and / or redirected, can now recirculate within the refrigerated cabinet and form the air curtain. This ensures the cooling process particularly effectively.

[0010] Advantageous further training can be found in the subclaims.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment, the ventilation duct can have a further blocking means for at least partially interrupting the air flow guided therein, at least in sections. In the present invention, it has proven advantageous to arrange a first blocking means in the air duct region of the ceiling section and a second blocking means in the air duct of the floor section. This allows the circulating air flow within the refrigerated cabinet to be specifically interrupted. This advantageously prevents already cooled air from escaping from the ceiling section into the environment via the outlet opening. At the same time, the second blocking means, which is advantageously arranged in the floor section, can prevent warm air from the environment from being sucked into the air duct.This double barrier can significantly improve the cooling efficiency of the refrigerated cabinet and significantly reduce energy losses.

[0012] If the air duct is closed off from the cold room, for example by a blocking means in the ceiling area, which is also referred to as the ceiling section, and a blocking means in the floor area, which is also referred to as the floor section, it has proven advantageous to divert the cooled air that is still being produced into neighboring refrigerated appliances. This proves to be particularly advantageous in terms of energy. The at least one air flow conveying device of the refrigerated appliance continues to run even when the air duct is blocked and the air curtain is interrupted. In order to prevent the heat exchanger from icing up and to be able to continue using the cooled air effectively, at least one, and even more advantageously several, diversion openings are advantageously arranged in the ceiling area and / or floor area of ​​the refrigerated appliance. This at least one diversion opening advantageously represents a continuous connection to a directly adjacent refrigerated appliance.By selectively redirecting the air while the air duct and air curtain are closed, energy can also be saved in adjacent refrigeration units and their air flow conveying devices can be operated at a reduced speed, for example.

[0013] It has proven particularly advantageous if several refrigeration units are connected in series so that an effective exchange of redirected, cooled air can take place between them when at least one closure element is open.

[0014] The air optimization process is advantageously initiated when the closure element is opened, for example, when a customer wants to remove a refrigerated product from the refrigerated cabinet. This can mean, for example, that both blocking elements are repositioned so that they hermetically seal the previously permeable air channel. The air circulation and thus the air curtain in front of the closure element are interrupted. The customer removes the refrigerated product. If they subsequently close the closure element again, the blocking elements open and air circulation in the refrigerated cabinet is restarted.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one blocking means is designed as a folding element, sliding element and / or as an air cushion barrier. This is advantageous because these blocking means can all be quickly and easily retrofitted into existing refrigeration appliances. The blocking means used here are particularly advantageously designed to match the geometry of the air duct. In the closed, blocked state, they form a positive connection with the internal geometry of the air duct. To further improve the tightness, it is conceivable that sealing elements, such as rubber lips, are arranged all the way around. The blocking means are advantageously arranged in the air duct so that they can close its internal cross section. The at least one blocking means is advantageously arranged directly adjacent to the at least one air outlet opening in the ceiling section and / or to the at least one air inlet opening in the floor section.

[0016] Depending on the design, it is conceivable that the at least one blocking means is designed as a folding element. The folding element can be designed in one piece or in multiple parts. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the at least one blocking means is designed as a sliding element. For improved guidance in the air duct, it is conceivable that this has at least one guide groove in which the sliding element is at least partially guided. This is also not to be understood as limiting, so it is also conceivable that the at least one blocking means is also designed as an air cushion barrier. This can be achieved, for example, by the air duct having additional openings through which compressed air is guided along the air duct cross-section. The high pressure of this introduced air interrupts the comparatively weaker air flow that normally circulates in the refrigeration unit. An air shut-off means is formed.It is conceivable that at least two, preferably several, compressed air nozzles are arranged along the circumference of the air duct. The compressed air nozzles can be controlled to introduce compressed air into the air duct simultaneously or staggered, preferably perpendicular to the direction of the circulating air flow. This interrupts the flow. A shutoff occurs. If this is to be removed again, the compressed air supply to the air duct is stopped, and the air flow can circulate again.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one blocking means is designed to be controllable via at least one control unit. This is advantageous because it allows for automation. The control unit can thus control and regulate the at least one blocking means, for example, by changing its position in the air duct. It is conceivable for each blocking means to have a control unit. However, it is also conceivable for multiple blocking means to be controlled by a single control unit.

[0018] Advantageously, at least one drive device, in the simplest case a drive motor, is provided for controlling the at least one locking means.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one locking means is designed to be controllable by the at least one control unit as a function of time and / or temperature. In refrigerated cabinets, it is also necessary from time to time to restock the refrigerated compartment with refrigerated products. In these cases, the closure elements remain open for extended periods. Therefore, it is advantageous if the at least one locking means can be switched by the at least one control unit as a function of time and / or temperature.

[0020] For example, it is conceivable that the temperature rises during loading, since during conventional operation, warm air from the environment is sucked into the air duct of the refrigerated cabinet. This air must first be cooled down again. If the temperature of the cold storage compartment and / or the circulating air flow exceeds a predefined limit, for example, 5 °C, the control unit reacts. This causes at least one, preferably two, blocking devices to completely close the air duct. Circulation in the refrigerated cabinet is interrupted. Cold air can neither escape into the environment nor be introduced, for example, sucked in, from the environment.

[0021] This is of course not to be understood as limiting, so that it is also conceivable that the control unit, for example, controls the at least one blocking means via a time control and causes the air duct to be closed and opened depending on the time.

[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageously conceivable for the control unit to trigger a renewed opening of the at least one blocking means on a time-dependent basis. This can be the case, for example, if the refrigerated cabinet is open for too long and the circulation in this refrigerated cabinet is blocked. This often occurs when the refrigerated cabinet is extensively restocked or when customers are careless. If, for example, a predeterminable temperature in the refrigerated cabinet is exceeded with the closure element open, the control unit detects this maximum excess and causes the at least one blocking means to be at least partially and / or completely reopened. The cooling process can then continue. Circulation in this refrigerated cabinet is enabled again by opening the at least one blocking means. The air curtain in the cooling chamber is formed.For this purpose, at least one temperature detection element is advantageously arranged in the cooling chamber and coupled to the at least one control unit.

[0023] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the control unit can also regulate and / or control the at least one deflection opening, more precisely its flow cross-section.

[0024] In the simplest embodiment, the at least one deflection opening can be permanently open. Due to the flow direction of the cooled air stream in the air duct, most of the cooled air flows past it when the closure element is closed and the blocking means is open, and circulates within the refrigerated cabinet in the first circulation process. If, for example, a closure element is opened or no longer properly closed, the at least one blocking means is actuated via the control unit and, for example, completely closed. The cooled air stream then diverts via the at least one deflection opening into the directly adjacent refrigerated cabinet, where it is then guided further into its air duct.

[0025] At the same time, the control unit can align additional airflow deflection means so that the cooled airflow still being produced can be guided in a more controlled manner into and through the at least one deflection opening, for further distribution into a refrigerated cabinet located directly adjacent thereto. Airflow deflection means can be understood, for example, as flaps or flow aids that are at least partially curved.

[0026] In a further advantageous embodiment, the refrigerated cabinet further comprises at least one sensor element which is coupled to the at least one control unit and / or which detects a contact closure between the closure means and the housing. This is advantageous because it allows quick and effective detection when the at least one closure element, which is designed, for example, as a glass door leaf, is opened. This allows the contact between the door leaf and the housing to be interrupted. The control unit can detect this interruption and thus recognizes that the at least one blocking means needs to be actuated. If contact is re-established, the closure element is once again in the closed state and the circulation can be opened again. In the simplest case, the sensor element can be designed as a contact sensor, LED sensor, magnetic sensor or as a mechanical connection.

[0027] The connection between at least one sensor element and the control unit can be wireless or wired. It is also conceivable for the sensor element to actively send signals to the control unit. However, it is also conceivable for the control unit to query signals from the at least one sensor element at predeterminable time intervals and then process them further. In the simplest case, the control unit also serves as a detection unit and / or processing unit for the sensor signals and / or sensor data.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment, the air duct can be designed to be completely blocked from the at least one air flow by the at least one blocking means. The resulting seal is advantageously hermetically sealed. This prevents the previously circulating air flow from continuing to circulate in the refrigerated cabinet. Advantageously, the air curtain is completely interrupted.

[0029] This is, of course, not to be understood as limiting; it is also conceivable that the at least one blocking means does not completely close the air duct cross-section, but only partially. This could be the case, for example, by 50% to 99%. This significantly reduces the circulating airflow.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment, the air curtain is designed to be guided at an angle. This is advantageous because it allows a particularly good air curtain to be formed in front of the closure element in the cold room. For this purpose, the outlet opening in the ceiling section and the inlet opening in the floor section are arranged offset from one another. This has the advantage that the air curtain is not rigidly directed vertically, but falls diagonally from top to bottom. This is advantageous when the shelves in the cold room are longer in the floor area than the vertically offset upper shelves. This ensures that all goods in the cold room can be placed behind the air curtain. The inlet opening in the floor section is advantageously arranged offset from the outlet opening in the ceiling section.Advantageously, the outlet opening of the ceiling section is set back from the inlet opening in the floor section.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one closure means has an offset pivot axis. This is advantageous because it can provide additional partitioning for cold storage rooms that are not opened. The refrigerated cabinet described here is not placed individually in the supermarket, but is to be understood as a modular unit. Several modular units are arranged next to one another and can together span a single large cold storage room, which is accessible through numerous, individual closure elements, for example glass door panels. Advantageously, one or two closure elements form a modular unit which has the air duct, in which two blocking means are advantageously arranged. This is not to be understood as limiting, so that it is also conceivable for the at least one blocking means to be arranged in the ceiling section and / or in the floor section.If necessary, at least one blocking agent is then introduced into the air duct in order to partially, advantageously completely, seal it in the respective flow direction of the air flow.

[0032] If a door leaf of a modular unit is opened, this opening simultaneously affects the adjacent modular unit, whose circulating airflow and resulting air curtain remain active. To avoid any impairment of the efficiency of the adjacent modular unit, it is advantageous to relocate the pivot axis of the locking elements. The term pivot axis can also be understood as a rotation axis. In known locking elements, which are advantageously designed as door leaves, the respective rotation axis is usually arranged along or near the vertical outer edge of the door leaf. This can provide a particularly effective opening. The door leaf does not rotate into the cold storage room.

[0033] In the present embodiment, however, it is proposed to relocate the axis of rotation from the vertical outer edge. This can be done, for example, by 1 / 5 relative to the width of the closure means, by 1 / 4 relative to the width of the closure means, or even by 1 / 3 relative to the width of the closure means. This displacement results in the door leaf initially pivoting proportionally into the cold storage room. In order to then optimally seal off the adjacent module unit from the inflow of warm outside air, the door leaf is then shifted linearly after it has been rotated. As a result, the part of the door leaf that protrudes into the cold storage room forms an air flow barrier. The adjacent module unit can continue to run in normal circulation mode. The part of the door leaf that protrudes into the cold storage room seals it off and prevents unwanted air exchange.

[0034] If the cooling chamber is to be closed again, the linear movement is first carried out backwards and then the door leaf is guided back against the housing by means of a rotating movement and the housing is closed.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment, the air flow is designed to be deflectable via at least one deflection opening when at least one blocking means is closed. It has proven particularly advantageous if the at least one deflection opening is arranged directly adjacent to the closed blocking means.

[0036] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one deflection opening is arranged in the ceiling section and / or the floor section of the refrigerated cabinet. This is advantageous because the deflected, cooled air flow can be transferred to other connected refrigerated cabinets and introduced directly into their air flow.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment, this comprises at least one air flow deflection means, which at least partially reversibly closes the at least one deflection opening. This is advantageous because, when the refrigerated cabinet is closed, the air flow is guided directly past the at least one deflection opening. Furthermore, however, it is also conceivable that, in the event of increased cooling demand from adjacently coupled cooling modules, the at least one air flow deflection means is deflected in such a way that a predeterminable portion of the cooled air flow is guided out of the refrigerated cabinet via the at least one deflection opening.

[0038] In another advantageous embodiment, it has proven particularly energy-efficient if several of the refrigeration units described here are arranged as modular units, for example, in a row. The modular units are generally not separated from each other laterally, but rather form laterally connected cooling compartments. However, it is still advantageous for each modular unit to be individually controllable.

[0039] If, for example, the locking element on one piece of refrigeration equipment in the row is opened, the control unit reacts and causes two of the refrigeration equipment's locking devices, for example in the ceiling and floor areas, to be closed. The cooling air circulation in this refrigeration equipment is interrupted. However, the air flow conveying device remains active and produces cooled air. This cooled air is redirected to the modular units in the row where the locking elements are closed to increase air optimization and energy efficiency. At the same time, this prevents the heat exchanger from icing up. It has proven advantageous here if the modular units are connected to one another, for example via air duct coupling ducts. If an air duct is blocked with the locking element open, the cooling air still produced by this refrigeration equipment is simply redirected to the other refrigeration units and used there.This can also be done via an intelligent control unit, so that the cooling air is directed to the cooling modules, for example, which have a cold room temperature above a predefined threshold. This advantageously allows for faster cooling. The generated cooling air is redirected and thus used effectively.

[0040] The control unit can be intelligently designed, particularly when multiple cooling modules are arranged in series. For example, it is conceivable that all modules connected in series are connected to one another via deflection openings. If, for example, the control unit detects via a sensor that the fifth cooling module requires more intensive cooling because its overall temperature is higher than a predeterminable threshold, the cooled air generated when a closure element of the first cooling module is opened can be directed specifically to this fifth, overly warm cooling module to achieve more effective cooling to the target temperature.

[0041] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to an operating method of a refrigeration unit for air optimization with at least the following steps: a. Detecting an opening movement of the closure means by the at least one sensor element; b. Active signal transmission of the detected opening movement data of the at least one sensor element to the control unit or passive signal query of the control unit to the at least one sensor element; c. Initiating the actuation of the at least one blocking means to at least partially block the air duct; d. Detecting the closing movement of the closure means by the at least one sensor element; and e. Initiating the actuation of the at least one blocking means to at least partially unblock the air duct, wherein during steps a. to e. the at least one air flow conveying device continues to run.

[0042] This is advantageous because it does not require any complex additional control of the air flow conveying device. This can simply continue to run when the refrigerated cabinet is open. The air curtain within the refrigerated cabinet is interrupted by the blocked-off sections of the air duct. The cooled air that is still produced is redirected in this circulation mode and advantageously led out of the refrigerated cabinet in the ceiling section into neighboring refrigerated cabinets. Circulation is also created here. Air that needs to be cooled again from the neighboring refrigerated cabinets can then be fed back into the refrigerated cabinet via at least one further deflection opening in the floor section. This also ensures that when the blocking means are opened again, the usual circulation mode can continue, forming the air curtain. The air flow conveying device continues to run and thus also conveys air through the heat exchanger.The cooling air generated in this way is then diverted into the adjacent refrigerated units via at least one deflection opening, as long as the blocking means close the air duct of the refrigerated unit with the closure means open, and is effectively used there. For this purpose, coupling air ducts can also be provided, via which the individual deflection openings of one refrigerated unit are connected to deflection openings of other, coupled refrigerated units.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention distinguishes between two circulation processes. First, the circulation process in a refrigerated cabinet is described, which allows the cooled air to circulate within the refrigerated cabinet when the barriers are open. This also creates the cold air curtain. Second, a circulation process is described by means of which cooled air is redirected to neighboring refrigerated cabinets when the barriers are closed. Here, too, a circulation process is formed, since air from neighboring refrigerated cabinets can be recirculated into the refrigerated cabinet, then flow through the heat exchanger again and be cooled.

[0044] Further advantages, features and design options emerge from the following description of figures of non-limiting embodiments. Brief description of the drawings

[0045] In the drawings shows: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a refrigerated cabinet in the closed state; and Fig. 2 another sectional view of the refrigerated cabinet from Fig. 1 with the locking element open.

[0046] Elements provided with the same reference numerals in the drawings essentially correspond to one another unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, components that are not essential to understanding the technical teaching disclosed herein are omitted. Reference numerals will not be repeated for all elements already introduced and illustrated, provided that the elements themselves and their function have already been described or are known to a person skilled in the art. Detailed description of implementation examples

[0047] Fig. 1shows a side sectional view of a refrigerated cabinet 1. This cabinet has a housing 2. The housing is advantageously formed by a ceiling section 4, a floor section 8, and a rear wall section 6, which firmly connects the ceiling section 4 and the floor section 8. The housing thereby spans a cooling chamber 10, in which, here, for example, several shelves 12 are arranged for accommodating refrigerated products.

[0048] The front of the refrigerated cabinet 1 is closed with a locking element 14, which here is designed as a door leaf. In the simplest case, the locking element 14 is pivotally mounted around its longitudinal axis.

[0049] Ceiling section 4, rear wall section 6, and floor section 8 are formed in two layers, forming the air duct 16. The air circulates in the air duct 16 along flow path S1.

[0050] The rear wall section 6 can, for example, have the airflow conveying device 18. In the simplest embodiment, this can be designed as a fan. The airflow conveying device 18 draws in the air from the floor section 8 and subsequently forces it through the downstream heat exchanger 20. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the airflow conveying device 18 to be designed to suck air, and for the air to be cooled to be drawn through the heat exchanger 20 (not shown here). The cooled airflow is then guided further in the air duct 16, which extends along the rear wall section 6 and the ceiling section 4.

[0051] In this embodiment, the ceiling section 4 has at least one outlet opening 22. From this at least one outlet opening 22, the air flow S 1 exits the air duct 16 into the cooling chamber 10.

[0052] Offset from this at least one outlet opening 22, the base section 8 has at least one inlet opening 24 through which the air flowing from top to bottom on the flow path S 1 is reintroduced into the air duct 16 by means of the air flow conveying device 18. A circulating air flow in the flow direction S 1 is thus formed.

[0053] Since the refrigerated cabinet 1 is shown closed in this view, the shut-off elements 26, 28 are not shown.

[0054] In this exemplary embodiment, ceiling section 4 and floor section 8 each further comprise two deflection openings 30. This is to be understood as an example. It is also conceivable to provide only one deflection opening 30 or a plurality of deflection openings 30. Advantageously, the deflection openings 30 are continuous with an adjacent refrigerated cabinet (not shown).

[0055] In Fig. 2In contrast, a refrigerated cabinet 1 with an open closure element 14 is shown. The same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 correspond to the same components and will not be explained in detail here again.

[0056] The closure element 14 is opened and exposes the cooling chamber 10. In order to operate particularly energy-efficiently, the two blocking means 26, 28 are closed in this state. They seal the air duct 16 hermetically, so that the air flow in the flow direction S 1 is completely interrupted. In particular, no warm ambient air is sucked in through the inlet opening 24. By closing the closure element 14, the Fig. 1 The operating state shown is restored and the air flow circulates again in the flow direction S 1 .

[0057] Advantageously, the at least one sensor element is arranged on the closure element 14, designed as a door leaf, and / or on the housing 2, in particular on the floor section 8 and / or on the ceiling section 4. The control unit of the locking means 26, 28 is not shown here. It can be integrated into the refrigerated cabinet 1 or arranged externally.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, two deflection openings 30 are shown in the ceiling area and two deflection openings 30 in the floor area of ​​the refrigerated cabinet 1. These deflection openings 30 are advantageously designed to be continuous so that they form at least one connection to another refrigerated cabinet 1 (not shown) arranged directly next to it. In this way, the cooled flow can be redirected and distributed to neighboring refrigerated cabinets. A flow flow S 2 is formed. At the same time, air can be introduced back into the refrigerated cabinet from the neighboring, connected refrigerated cabinet (not shown) via the two deflection openings 30 in the floor section 8. In the course S 2, this air is then cooled again via the heat exchanger 30 and is discharged from the refrigerated cabinet 1 via the deflection openings 30 in the ceiling area.

[0059] Thus, the flow S 2 can remain intact while the blocking means 26, 28 are closed. A second circulation is formed.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiments proposed here, it is conceivable for each refrigerated cabinet to have its own control unit. However, it is also conceivable that, in the case of several refrigerated cabinets arranged next to one another, which can also be referred to as cooling modules, only one control unit is provided for all cooling modules. The same applies to the air conveying device.

[0061] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the advantageous embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples. Other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the invention is not limited to the feature combinations specified below; rather, other combinations and subcombinations that are obvious to those skilled in the art can also be formed from the disclosed features. List of reference symbols

[0062] 1Refrigeration cabinet 2Casing 4Ceiling section 6Rear wall section 8Floor section 10Cooling room 12Regular floor 14Closing element; door leaf 16Air duct 18Air flow conveying device 20Heat exchanger 22Exit opening 24Inlet opening 26Blocking device 28Blocking device 30Deflection opening S 1 Flow direction in closed refrigerated cabinet S 2 Flow direction with closed blocking devices

Claims

1. Refrigerated cabinet (1) for receiving and / or storing refrigerated goods, comprising at least one refrigeration chamber (10), a. wherein the refrigeration chamber (10) is spanned by a housing (2) which has at least one floor section (8), at least one ceiling section (4), and at least one rear wall section (6), b. wherein the refrigeration chamber (10) is designed to be closable by at least one closure means (14) for maintaining the temperature in the refrigeration chamber (10), c. wherein the housing (2) further comprises at least one air duct (16), within which at least one air flow can be guided by means of at least one air flow conveying device (18), d. wherein the at least one air flow can be guided out of the air duct into the refrigeration chamber (10) in a region of the at least one ceiling section (4) and can be guided back into the air duct (16) in a region of the floor section (8), so that an air curtain is formed, characterized in thatthe air duct (16) has at least one blocking means (26; 28) for at least partially blocking the at least one guided air flow.

2. Refrigeration cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that the air duct (16) has a further blocking means (28; 26) for at least partially interrupting the air flow guided therein at least in sections.

3. Refrigeration cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one blocking means (26; 28) is designed as a folding element, sliding element and / or as an air cushion barrier.

4. Refrigeration cabinet according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one locking means (26; 28) is designed to be controllable via at least one control unit.

5. Refrigeration cabinet according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one blocking means (26; 28) is designed to be controllable via the at least one control unit as a function of time and / or temperature.

6. Refrigeration cabinet according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air duct (16) can be designed to be completely blocked from the at least one air flow (16) by the at least one blocking means (26; 28).

7. Refrigeration cabinet according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that this further comprises at least one sensor element which is coupled to the at least one control unit and / or which detects a contact closure between the closure means (14) and the housing (2).

8. Refrigeration cabinet according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air curtain is designed to be inclined.

9. Refrigeration cabinet according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one closure means (14) has an offset pivot axis.

10. Refrigerated cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe air flow (16) is designed to be deflectable via at least one deflection opening (30) when at least one blocking means (26; 28) is closed.

11. Refrigeration cabinet according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one deflection opening (30) is arranged in the ceiling area (4) and / or floor area (8) of the refrigerated cabinet.

12. Refrigerated cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that this has at least one air flow deflection means which at least partially reversibly closes the at least one deflection opening (30).

13. An air optimization process when opening a refrigerated cabinet (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least the following steps: a. detecting an opening movement of the closure means (14) by the at least one sensor element; b. actively transmitting the detected opening movement data of the at least one sensor element to the control unit or passively querying the control unit's signal to the at least one sensor element; c. initiating the actuation of the at least one blocking means (26; 28) to at least partially block the air duct (16); d. detecting the closing movement of the closure means (14) by the at least one sensor element; and e. initiating the actuation of the at least one blocking means (26; 28) to at least partially unblock the air duct (14), wherein the at least one air flow conveying device (18) continues to run during steps a. to e.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Control method of cold air outlet amount in refrigeration cold storage showcase

    JP1992136677A

  • Refrigerated counter with door

    JP1985044786A

  • Defroster for evaporator in refrigerator

    US20070000271A1

  • Refrigerator having a device for preventing flow of air between an evaporator and a cooling compartment

    US6014865A